Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2), the highly anticipated sequel to Malaysia’s hit animated feature, is enjoying a strong run in Indonesia, with its theatrical release now extended to 240 cinemas, more than triple the number when it premiered on June 27.
In just five days, the film has attracted over 174,000 moviegoers of all ages, especially children, marking a significant milestone for the homegrown animation in a competitive entertainment market.
WAU Animation chief executive officer and EATM2 director Usamah Zaid Yasin said the team had not expected such an overwhelming reception, particularly as Indonesia does not operate a ‘mandatory screening’ system like Malaysia.
"We entered the market at the perfect time during the school holidays, backed by strong local partnerships, distributors and a communications agency that truly understands the Indonesian audience,” he told Bernama.
Usamah attributed the film’s early momentum to the loyal Ejen Ali digital fanbase in Indonesia, cultivated over the years through YouTube and social media, alongside strategic collaborations with Indonesian animation studios and a soundtrack feature with popular local band Nidji.
He said these localisation efforts gave the film a familiar touch and a sense of ownership for Indonesian viewers, and he expects viewership to continue rising in the coming weeks.
With momentum building, EATM2 is expected to debut in Cambodia, following recent successful runs in Singapore and Brunei, cementing its growing regional footprint.
Behind this character stands the figure of a very experienced and versatile actor, Azman Zulkiply.
Interestingly, Rizwan is not the only character voiced by Azman in EATM2. He also plays the roles of General Rama and Viktor, each representing three different racial backgrounds, namely Malay, Chinese, and Indian. Of course, it is not easy to bring a character to life with different speaking styles and accents, but Azman said he loved the experience.
"This is my proudest achievement in my career. (EATM2) What a ride, the opportunity to play three characters was an amazing experience," said Azman in a special interview.
"I have many friends. Malays, Chinese and Indians, they are amazing people. That is why this country is so great. It is my utmost honour that I could voice over for all three characters.
"I thank the EATM 2 team for giving me this opportunity, it is something I will never forget," added Azman.
Even more impressive is that Azman has been voicing these three characters for almost a decade, spanning more than half of his career in voice acting, and it also makes it easier for him to delve deeply into each character and give each one a unique touch.
"Being involved here is one of the happiest moments of my career. I'm so glad EATM 2 is also doing so well in many countries besides Malaysia. The support is wonderful and I hope we keep on going for more," Said Azman.
For the record, EATM 2 is produced by WAU Animation in collaboration with Primeworks Studios (PWS). The film, which follows the story of a 12-year-old boy who accidentally becomes a spy, has grossed nearly RM60 million to date, with more regional releases in the pipeline.
